What's in the Background?

I was out today taking pictures of backgrounds.  Well, technically that's not correct.  Actually I was out taking pictures for backgrounds.  Pictures that may become backgrounds later in some of my work.  Most photographers have files of things that we shoot that we think are cool but are not really sure what  to do with them.  I have a file marked backgrounds that I keep full of fun things like clouds, snowy fields, tree lines, crowds, etc.  So...you may ask, what do you do with all those cool cloud shots?  With any photo editing program, there is almost no end to the things you can do, either just for fun, or, if you are a professional, to make the client remember you and seek you out for the next shoot.

Pictures speak louder than words, so how about a few examples?  I work in Adobe Photoshop so that will be my frame of reference, however there are similar adjustments to be made in nearly all photo editing software, from iPhoto that came on your Mac, or an app you downloaded for your phone, to Elements, ACDsee,Corel Paintshop, XARA, Serif, the list goes on and on.  

Here is a link to a list of the top ten free photo editing software: free photo editing software

The point is that changing backgrounds on a photo can be cool, necessary, or both.  

Here is my example, This is Christopher Liles owner and massage therapist at "Knead to Relax" in Belmont, NC.  I recently shot some pictures of Chris for his website and other advertising.

click on any photo for a larger image

This photo was purposely taken with negative space on the left side for placement of the logo and contact information.  That's great for getting the information to the potential customer, but what if you want to have some fun with this image? 

The first thing you have to do is get rid of the background.  In Photoshop, use the selection tool to isolate the background from the subject and hit delete on the keyboard.  You will end up with something that looks like this.  Now you need to import a new background.  In Photoshop you drag the new background up to the image you are working on and it automatically creates a new layer for the new background.

All you have to do is select the background you want to use.  See... now you know why I have a file full of cool backgrounds that I have saved.  This one was actually taken in my back yard.

All that's left to do is put them together using your software.  Now Chris looks like he is out in nature ready to give a massage under the blue sky and white fluffy clouds.

If you like things a little colder, here is the same shot with a "winter wonderland" background I shot the last time it snowed here.

The fourth of July is coming up soon, show your patriotism by inserting the "Stars and Stripes"

Or if none of the above are your cup of tea, then make your own textured background on almost any graphics design software and insert it the same way.

The point is simple, you can make it look like that photo of your dogs and kids that you actually took on your front porch was taken on the big island of Hawaii or in front of Niagra Falls.  All it takes is some photo editing software, and your imagination.

e-mail me at:    keith@keithlewisphoto.com

Visit my website: keithlewisphoto.com

 Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/KeithLewisPhotography

 Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/KeithLewisPhoto